The partnership with Wagga was part of a wider NRL initiative to engage with fans outside of existing supporter regions. The argument for not imposing the fine is that the Raiders are growing the game and finding new fans to bring back to Canberra.

The government, which invested $5 million in the Raiders' new facility, could see that opportunity as well. But officials also felt the contract, which is publicly available, had to be enforced because the terms were clear and obvious.

The other aspects the government considered were the existing contracts for caterers, security and game-day operations who budget for having set numbers of Raiders and Brumbies games per year.

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The Raiders were, of course, disappointed. But they also accepted those reasons, even if they had hoped the government would show some good faith for the years of service.

The next stadium contract may be tweaked to remove the fine for shifting home games, as long as those matches are moved to regional areas and not just sold to the highest bidder in Perth or at overseas destinations.

So that brings us to the negotiations of the next stadium contracts for the Raiders and the Brumbies. The Raiders' deal expires at the end of 2019 and the Brumbies follow in 2020.

Neither team is considering a radical move to leave the city, but there have already been rumblings of trying to get a bigger slice of the pie given the size of government's existing arrangement with the Giants.

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It is set to become an "us versus them" debate. The Canberra teams sticking together to try to get what they feel is a fair increase to their contracts given they're the ones who live in the capital.

Here's a quick comparison of the current deals. The Raiders pocket about $170,000 per game in Canberra for the NRL season, the Brumbies get $200,000 for home Super Rugby matches and the Giants get $760,000 per AFL fixture at Manuka.

Those are raw figures and distorted by several factors. There is greater scope to generate more money at the 25,000-seat Canberra Stadium compared to 14,000-capacity Manuka via ticket sales and the available corporate facilities. Pre-season games, school visits and development programs are also factored in.

Canberrans have voted with their feet for AFL content in the city and the Giants are entrenched as the third winter professional team.

The Giants have made a second home in Canberra.Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

The government couldn't match the per-game figure for the Raiders and the Brumbies given they play much more often at home.

There is a limit to funding and the government also supports the Canberra Capitals, Canberra United and the Canberra Cavalry as well as luring Super Netball, NBL, international cricket and golf to the city.

There is also an A-League bid to consider, which the government has committed $1.2 million to if the team wins an expansion licence.

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The gripe, however, is about why the Raiders and Brumbies earn so much less on a per-game basis. Both clubs have voiced their frustrations in the past and are expected to do so again when negotiations start next year.

It has always been a curious case. The Raiders play 12 games in Canberra, the Brumbies play seven or eight and the Giants play three in their respective regular seasons.

The Giants' deal also includes Canberra on the jerseys and a specific Canberra playing strip in Manuka. Is exposure in the AFL world worth more than exposure in the NRL and Super Rugby?

The Raiders still carry Canberra in their name and lime green is synonymous with the city. The Brumbies dropped ACT from their official name, but have "CBR" on their chest and made Canberra a rugby destination.

The state of the stadium is another argument altogether, and the Giants will feel the same about Manuka Oval.

Canberra Stadium is nearing the end of its lifespan.Credit:Karleen Minney

The plans to build a new rectangular stadium in Civic are on hold until Sport Australia decides on the future of Canberra Stadium, and if it will sell the venue to the ACT government.

Even then, there's no guarantee that will pave the way for a Civic stadium given the government could opt to spend less money by redeveloping the Bruce precinct.

Manuka is a fantastic boutique venue, but it has limited corporate facilities and barely any undercover seating, which will be thrust into the spotlight when Canberra hosts its first cricket Test under the scorching February sun.

All parties did their best to defuse the tension when the Raiders were fined this week. The size of the fine for moving a game to Wagga is significant. But in the scheme of another five or 10-year stadium deal, it could be small change if the Raiders and Brumbies and negotiate a big increase.